[JaxPM] FW: O'Reilly Releases Guide to SETI "Beyond Contact"

[JONES, WILLIAM C]

On the jacksonville-pm-list; Jax.PM'er "JONES, WILLIAM C" <wcjones at exchange.fccj.org> wrote -



> ----------
> From: 	Denise Olliffe
> Sent: 	Thursday, March 29, 2001 2:13 PM
> To: 	bill at fccj.org
> Subject: 	O'Reilly Releases Guide to SETI "Beyond Contact"
> 
> For immediate release
> March 29, 2001
> Review copies available, contact:
> Denise Olliffe (707) 829-0515 ext 339 or deniseo at oreilly.com
> 
> 
> HELLO? IS ANYBODY OUT THERE?
> 
> 
> "It is widely believed that this century will see the discovery of life
> elsewhere in the universe. But what about 'intelligence'? And if we do
> contact extraterrestrials, will any meaningful communication be
> possible?" Sir Arthur C. Clarke's contemplation most concisely
> articulates a question that has enthralled human kind for many decades
> and has spawned programs like the Search for Extraterrestrial
> Intelligence (SETI) as a tool to seek and find a definitive answer. In
> the book "Beyond Contact: A Guide to SETI and Communicating with Alien
> Civilizations," (O'Reilly, US $24.95) author Brian McConnell explores
> in-depth the search for intelligent life in the universe and how
> inter-stellar communication could work.
> 
> Many people have argued that once primitive life has evolved, natural
> selection will inevitably cause it to advance toward intelligence and
> technology. For forty years now, SETI has combed the skies in search of
> signals from such life. "There is nothing in the laws of physics that
> forbids the formation of life on other planets," McConnell says. "One
> of the most important things we've learned in the 20th century was that
> if something wasn't forbidden, it was probably happening somewhere.
> Black holes, once thought to be a fantasy, are a good example. Just
> because something is weird and difficult for us to comprehend, doesn't
> mean it's not possible."
> 
> McConnell continues, "If SETI does succeed, which could happen next
> week or a century from now, we may be exposed to information from
> extraterrestrial civilizations. What we may learn from this, or how
> this would affect our own civilization, is anyone's guess. Being
> prepared and knowing what types of communication will be possible, is a
> good place to start."
> 
> "Beyond Contact" introduces readers to: 
> 
> - The history of SETI research, traditional radio astronomy, the search
> for intelligence in optical wavelengths (known as Optical SETI, or
> OSETI), and the SETI at home project
> - An overview of the Drake Equation and the Rare Earth Hypothesis,
> which scientists use to estimate the number of planets in our galaxy
> that could harbor intelligent, communicative life forms
> - How signals are sent and received over interstellar distances. The
> author explains the principles of signal and image processing, and how
> SETI researchers identify and process analog signals using Fourier
> transforms to see how the power in a signal is distributed across
> different frequencies
> - How to build a general-purpose symbolic language for sending signals,
> and even computer programs, with present-day SETI equipment.
> 
> The author also shows how SETI research--though often thought to be a
> mere flight of fancy--has spawned technological improvements in
> astronomy, computers, and wireless communications.
> 
> "The book does not speculate about when we will detect a signal, or
> what we would learn from another civilization," McConnell says. "What
> the book does is describe systems for communication, all of which are
> derived from technology that is already in use today." And with over
> 2.8 million public participants and extensive funding, SETI is a pretty
> good start.
> 
> 
> Advanced Praise for "Beyond Contact":
> 
> "This fascinating book explores all the possible lines of approach to a
> challenge, upon whose outcome may one day depend the future of our own
> civilization."--Sir Arthur C. Clarke, author of "2001: A Space Odyssey"
> 
> " 'Beyond Contact' summaries well what is the search for
> extraterrestrial intelligence. I recommend it for anyone as an entry
> level book on the subject."--Stephane Dumas, Physicist
> 
> "A thoughtful and beautifully detailed treatise on the search for
> extraterrestrial civilizations. If you are an earthling or
> extraterrestrial wondering 'Is anybody out there?,' read this
> book."--Dan Wertheimer, chief scientist, SETI at home, University of
> California, Berkeley
> 
> "A refreshingly even-handed treatment of one of the greatest puzzles of
> our age, the question of our apparent loneliness in the
> universe."--David Brin, author of "The Postman," "Earth," and "The
> Transparent Society"
> 
> "My colleagues and I at JPL are working on an interplanetary Internet.
> Brian McConnell takes the next step towards interstellar communication.
> If you ever wondered whether it REALLY would be possible to communicate
> with extraterrestrials, read this book."--Vint Cerf, Internet pioneer
> and visiting scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory
> 
> "In 'Beyond Contact,' the author goes beyond simple bit streams,
> showing a sophisticated programming environment designed to be
> transmitted to an alien civilization. It is the most creative and
> useful transmission suggestion I have ever seen. The author's
> explanation on its own is appropriate for astronomy, computer
> programming, and linguistics."--Charlie Schick, science writer/editor
> "The most exciting and comprehensive practical SETI book in a
> generation. Brian McConnell's book will enthrall a new generation of
> SETI enthusiasts. 'Beyond Contact' will surely inspire others to mount
> their own SETI research."--Dr. Stuart A. Kingsley, director, Columbus
> Optical SETI Observatory
> 
> "Remarkably fresh ideas on how to achieve contact. Wide-ranging,
> engrossing, enjoyable. This book is definitely a winner!"--Dr. Allen
> Tough, coordinator of the Web-based "Invitation to ETI"
> 
> "This thought provoking book ventures boldly where I fear to
> tread."--Kent Cullers, Signal Detection Team Leader, Director for SETI
> Research and Development, SETI Institute
> 
> 
> Chapter 7, "Lightwave (Laser) Communication," and Chapter 12, "Binary
> DNA," are available free online at:
> http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/alien/chapter/index.html
> 
> An article by Brian McConnell, "Anticryptography: The Next Frontier in
> Computer Science" can be read at:
> http://www.oreilly.com/news/seti_0201.html
> 
> For an article about David Anderson of SETI at Home, see:
> http://www.openp2p.com/pub/a/p2p/2001/02/15/anderson.html
> 
> For more information about the book, including Table of Contents,
> index, author bio, and samples, see:
> http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/alien/
> 
> For a cover graphic in jpeg format, go to:
> ftp://ftp.ora.com/pub/graphics/book_covers/hi-res/0596000375.jpg
> 
> More information about SETI can also be found at 
> the SETI Institute Online site, and at SETI at home:
> http://www.seti-inst.edu/Welcome.html
> http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/
> 
> For more information or to subscribe to the O'Reilly elists, go to:
> elist.oreilly.com
> 
> Beyond Contact
> A Guide to SETI and Communicating with Alien Civilizations 
> By Brian McConnell
> March 2001
> ISBN 0-596-000375, 424 pages, $24.95 (US)
> order at oreilly.com
> 1-800-998-9938
> http://www.oreilly.com
> 
> # # # 
> 
> O'Reilly is a registered trademark of O'Reilly & Associates, Inc. All
> other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
> 
> 

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